Why I Started Paleo

February 25, 2015

A lot of people have been asking me why and how I got started on Paleo. Well, it actually wasn’t the initial plan at all. It wasn’t a New Year’s Resolution or a big scheme to get fit. It started as me just making an effort to go to the gym. I told myself I would go 3 times a week. I got a workout buddy for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Then I noticed that on the days I didn’t drink soda, I didn’t feel as bloated, so I decided to drink only water. And then I realized that going to the gym made me feel strong and confident, so I started going on Tuesdays and Thursdays as well. After that, I downloaded the myfitnesspal app and decided I would cut back on calories since I was working out so much. I didn’t want all the exercise to go to waste! 

This all happened in about the span of a week, right when the new semester had started. Unfortunately, at about this time, my anxiety skyrocketed. I was dealing with some things that were out of my control and stress seemed to be weighing heavily on me. I began thinking about all the things in my life that were out of my control, and the list seemed endless. But then I realized that there were so many things I could control, and one of those things was eating healthy. One of my best friends had been on Paleo as a senior in high school and dropped nearly 70 pounds over the course of 6 months. He had talked to me a lot about the diet, but I didn’t know everything about it yet. I was so tired of focusing on the things I couldn’t control, so I decided to start Paleo with full force and commitment. I didn’t even wait till the next day. I started right then on Tuesday, January 27. And I haven’t stopped since. 

I don’t say any of these things out of conceitedness, but rather with the hope that someone who reads this that may be dealing with anxiety or another hindering situation, might be inspired to focus on things that we all can change. There is not enough time in the world to be dragged down by negativity! :) 

***Being on the Paleo diet is not the key to happiness in any way. It is just something I am committed to and enjoy! This post is to encourage anyone and everyone to find something positive and tangible to focus on, instead of lingering on things that we cannot control. This can be through studying the Bible on a deeper level, learning something new, building friendships and relationships, or even something small like flossing before bed (just kidding, nobody does that.) (Hopefully my dentist doesn’t read this.)